I thought I would use this first issue to provide you with some insight into my career journey to date and early impressions of the terrific work being undertaken at the APA.

Entering my physiotherapy studies, I had big plans. 

As a huge sports fan and Melbourne Demons tragic, I envisaged myself as the physio running out onto the MCG and treating elite athletes. 

Instead, I went on another exciting journey.

The Physiotherapy Board of Australia recognises and celebrates all physiotherapists and the critical work they do supporting better health in the community on World Physiotherapy Day 2024. 

This year the focus is on low back pain and the role of physiotherapy in its management and prevention.

The release of the draft outline of the National Allied Health Workforce Strategy in June has thrust the future of allied health professions into the policy limelight.

When Paul McCann APAM received an unexpected letter advising that he had been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List, he was both surprised and humbled. 

Travelling to Canberra to meet with ministers, ministerial advisers and departmental secretaries always brings a
feeling of excitement. 

You hope that you can educate, communicate, influence and, most importantly, deliver a consistent message. 

My most recent visit had the added pleasure of accompanying our new CEO Rob LoPresti on his first trip advocating on behalf of the APA and the profession.

The 2023 Workforce Census provides a snapshot of where the physiotherapy profession is currently at, says APA President Scott Willis.

The APA is no different and over the past nine years we have been working on expanding our partnership networks from both a commercial and a non-commercial perspective.

In 2022, the APA undertook a comprehensive research study related to partnerships. 

You’re a physiotherapist working at a public hospital. Since your employer provides insurance that meets the professional indemnity insurance requirements set by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, you decide not to purchase your own insurance policy. 

Physiotherapists working in occupational health offer a range of workplace prevention and rehabilitation services, both onsite and within clinics. 

One of the key roles is providing injury prevention training to individuals and groups. 

Dr Paula Harding MACP, allied health director at Barwon Health in Geelong, had observed the increasing demands placed on
physiotherapists to provide clinical education in the workplace, both for students and for physiotherapists in the early stages of their careers.